Dekada ‘70: In Pursuit of Independence and Highlighting the Sense of Belonging
To be free, we must do what is right, whether political or personal.
The film “Dekada ’70,” directed by Chito S. Roño, offers a poignant and educational portrayal of a tumultuous period in Philippine history. Released in 2002, the movie is an adaptation of a novel by Lualhati Bautista. Set against the backdrop of the martial law era in the Philippines, “Dekada ’70” weaves a compelling narrative that delves into the personal and political struggles of a middle-class family during a decade marked by oppression, resistance, and transformation.
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When I first encountered the book, I initially thought it centered solely on the brutality of martial law during the late Marcos regime. However, as I delved into its pages, I was surprised to find that it also brought relevant discussions that remain pertinent today. “Dekada ’70” provides insights into the status of women in a patriarchal society, the stereotypes of men, the institution of marriage and parenthood, the journey to self-discovery, and the theme of activism.
The story deals with marriage and parenting. I was infuriated when shown how two people were forced into marriage just because the latter was discovered staying up late at the other’s place, which led to a toxic household. I believe one shouldn’t feel pushed to be married just because two people are intimate; there should also be other factors to consider. Getting married requires more than just being financially stable. You must be emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared, which was not considered. In my opinion, these are some of the drawbacks of the conservative mindset, which is still prevalent today. Fortunately, the latter part of the show concluded with the parents deciding to co-parent for their child. This is one of the concerns that should be addressed regarding family and parenthood. Most often, couples are compelled to stay together to portray a “complete and happy” family picture since society believes this is a better notion, particularly for children. Moreover, I admired how the narrative concluded with the two choosing to part ways. Although it is easier said than done, couples should start to take co-parenting into consideration rather than staying in a toxic marriage for convenience.
Considering that women are still marginalized by society and are still exclusively expected to perform domestic duties and remain at home, even in the modern period, it was commendable how the film also discusses the discrimination towards women. “It’s a man’s world, honey,” as stated by Julian Bartolome. I applaud the author’s narrative because she did not allow Amanda to follow an unjust notion mindlessly; instead, she displays the journey from being lost in her sense of self to ultimately being able to speak up and fight for her purpose—which makes her role significant.
Her path symbolizes how tough it was and still is for women to keep up in society, as we are constantly ostracized and neglected. It is frustrating that, up until now, women have done their work beyond what is expected of them, yet they have received little to no recognition. Opportunities for women have always been limited, and women’s capabilities have always been questioned. In contrast, men have been served on a silver platter and applauded for doing the bare minimum.
Moreover, there was toxic masculinity involved, demonstrated when Julian became enraged when his wife simply proposed the idea in a calm state that she wanted to work. Julian stated that as long as he was the man, he would be the one who would work for the family. This is infuriating and, I believe, a product of a patriarchal society. In addition to the bias against women, there were also societal expectations and stereotypes placed on men, as evidenced by a male character acknowledging the pressure to maintain a tough facade. In my view, men have contributed to perpetuating these expectations by often ridiculing other men for displaying vulnerability and not conforming to societal norms for masculinity. The resolution of the narrative emphasized the value of embracing openness and being willing to express one’s emotions, including allowing oneself to shed tears.
Watching a film that emphasizes the need to stand up to injustice as the activists did is encouraging. Despite several threats, activists in the story persisted in taking on the inept and abusive present leadership, showcasing bravery. The narrative accentuates the importance of activism and how such acts should not be labeled as rebellion, let alone result in jailing, torturing, and killing persons for criticizing lousy governance. Speaking out and promoting justice and equality should not be an instrument for abuses of human rights. The story’s central idea strengthens nationalism and urges people to strive for what is right and never give up in adversity. The government should serve the people, not the other way around.
Therefore, we have the right to demand and criticize the failure of an incompetent administration. “Dekada ’70” had a tremendous impact on underlying conflicts regarding discrimination, parenthood, family, and activism. The message stated that to be free, we must do what is right, whether political or personal.